Bosemani with African Chilchid

[WaterChwee]

Hi, currently I am rearing rainbow fishes and some red nose in my tank and would like to change to a chilchid tank.

Can I mix them together and convert my current soft water tank to chilchid tank

[CCT]

I nv kept your type of fish before so not sure as well, but african cichlids require high PH. Is your fish okay with that?

[WaterChwee]

Originally Posted by CCT

I nv kept your type of fish before so not sure as well, but african cichlids require high PH. Is your fish okay with that?

I am not very sure about the PH of my bosemani but wonder if I can put in these african chilchid into my current setup with ada soil but no plants only few driftwood.

BTW can advise where can I get those aquarium rocks for chilchid. Can I pick them up from outside like garden and park and wash them before putting into tank

[CCT]

Originally Posted by WaterChwee

I am not very sure about the PH of my bosemani but wonder if I can put in these african chilchid into my current setup with ada soil but no plants only few driftwood.



BTW can advise where can I get those aquarium rocks for chilchid. Can I pick them up from outside like garden and park and wash them before putting into tank

Definate not very good for african cichlids for your current esp driftwood reduce ph, most ac is good at 7.6 ph but some like tangan is better at 8 above.

Rock wise you can buy from most lfs like seaview at seletar farmway, those at pasir ris farmway, c328, nks. Outside pick rock also can i am using as well but need more work to clean them up so that there is no toxic in it.

[WaterChwee]

Thanks for your info. The rocks at seaview and other lfs are very expensive and sell in kilo so will come up to a substantial amount. Mind showing me the rocks that you pick from outside incase I pick the wrong one. Are those at the park ok ?

[LauLanChu]

For african cichlid is better to use coral rocks that helps to maintain a high pH. As for those rocks outside depending on what type you talking about. Those huge pebbles like type are fine if you give them a good wash. Some would leach minerals and I am not sure if they are okay for the fish. Maybe you can be more precise in what you referring to.
I also think your current stock would be attacked by the cichild, as cichlid is known to be aggressive.

[CCT]

this is my kind of rock, using coral rock is optional in my opinion but you should use coral sand as substrate. And use coral chip as media to maintain the ph.

[WaterChwee]

How much you get those rocks or free from garden.

Btw, currently my tank is with ADA soil which is already 3 years+ so do you think I still can lay coral sand on top to boast up the ph and add in rocks & stones.

my current livestocks in are rainbow fishes, congo tetra & some rummy nose.

Intend to change to a african chilchid tank.

[CCT]

Originally Posted by WaterChwee

How much you get those rocks or free from garden.



Btw, currently my tank is with ADA soil which is already 3 years+ so do you think I still can lay coral sand on top to boast up the ph and add in rocks & stones.



my current livestocks in are rainbow fishes, congo tetra & some rummy nose.



Intend to change to a african chilchid tank.

Those rock are free, i pick from road side.

I think you should just remove the soil and replace with sand. If the substrate is too thick may create harmful bacteria.

[Brichardi]

Originally Posted by WaterChwee

How much you get those rocks or free from garden.

Btw, currently my tank is with ADA soil which is already 3 years+ so do you think I still can lay coral sand on top to boast up the ph and add in rocks & stones.

my current livestocks in are rainbow fishes, congo tetra & some rummy nose.

Intend to change to a african chilchid tank.

IMO you can pick almost any rocks (big/small) as long as you think can look nice in your aquarium. However, you will need to wash/scrub them thoroughly first and then just soaked them in a pail of bleach for few days, then rinse thoroughly.

Better to remove the soil and do a proper set up. C0/C1 coral sand or playsand is fine for African Cichlids.